United News of Bangladesh

Less than a week after demanding his resignation, US President Donald Trump has now praised the career of Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan as an “amazing story.” Intel’s shares, which fell last week following Trump’s criticism of Tan, rose more than 3% in premarket trading Tuesday. Trump’s initial attack came after Senator Tom Cotton sent a letter to Intel Chairman Frank Yeary raising concerns over Tan’s investments and connections with semiconductor companies reportedly linked to the Chinese Communist Party and the People’s Liberation Army. Cotton asked Intel whether Tan had divested from these companies to avoid any conflict of interest. On Thursday, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, “The CEO of Intel is highly CONFLICTED and must resign, immediately. There is no other solution to this problem. Thank you for your attention to this problem!” Intel CEO reacts to Trump’s demand for resignation Tan, who was appointed Intel CEO in March, has not publicly confirmed whether he has divested his interests in those chip firms. In a message to employees, Tan denied misinformation about his past roles at Walden International and Cadence Design Systems, stating he has “always operated within the highest legal and ethical standards.” Following a Monday meeting at the White House with Tan, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Trump softened his stance. He wrote on Truth Social, “The meeting was a very interesting one. His success and rise is an amazing story. Mr. Tan and my Cabinet members are going to spend time together, and bring suggestions to me during the next week. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” The ongoing economic and political rivalry between the US and China is increasingly centered on semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and other digital technologies expected to shape future economies and military power.   Source: Agency

A federal judge has rejected the Justice Department’s request to release transcripts from the secret grand jury proceedings that led to Ghislaine Maxwell’s sex trafficking indictment, sharply criticizing the government’s push as an “illusion” of transparency. In a written decision Monday, Judge Paul A. Engelmayer said federal law almost never permits the release of grand jury materials and that making them public without a compelling reason was a bad idea. After privately reviewing the documents, he concluded they offered nothing significantly new compared to evidence presented at Maxwell’s 2021 trial. According to Engelmayer, the materials do not identify anyone besides Jeffrey Epstein and Maxwell as having sexual contact with minors, do not name any clients, and reveal no previously unknown methods, crime locations, or investigative details. They also contain no information about the source of Epstein’s wealth, the circumstances of his death, or the government’s investigative path. The judge suggested the government’s real motive might have been to create the appearance of openness rather than provide meaningful transparency. “A member of the public… might conclude that the Government’s motion for their unsealing was aimed… at diversion — aimed not at full disclosure but at the illusion of such,” he wrote. The Justice Department had sought to unseal the entire Maxwell grand jury record, with redactions for privacy, in part to quell ongoing public suspicion surrounding the Epstein case. Prosecutors acknowledged only two witnesses testified before the grand jury — an FBI agent and an NYPD detective — and said much of what was discussed has since become public through Maxwell’s trial, civil lawsuits, and victims’ statements. Advocacy group files lawsuit against Justice Department and FBI seeking Epstein case records Florida attorney Brad Edwards, representing nearly two dozen Epstein accusers, said he did not oppose the ruling, noting most victims wanted to protect their privacy and that the transcripts contained little evidentiary value. Maxwell’s lawyer declined comment, and the Justice Department did not respond to requests for comment. The decision does not impact thousands of other pages the government holds but has declined to release, much of it sealed to protect victims. A separate federal judge is weighing whether to unseal grand jury transcripts from a 2005–2007 Florida investigation, but another judge there has already refused disclosure. Maxwell, convicted in 2021 of aiding Epstein in sexually abusing underage girls, is appealing her conviction and has recently been moved from a Florida prison to a Texas prison camp. Her attorney says she testified truthfully in recent Justice Department interviews. The case remains a flashpoint years after Epstein avoided federal charges in a controversial 2008 plea deal, later dying in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial. His death fueled conspiracy theories, amplified by former President Donald Trump and his allies, who accused authorities of covering up secrets to protect powerful people. While some Trump allies in the Justice Department once vowed to reveal more about the Epstein investigation, they announced this summer that no further disclosures would be made and that no “client list” exists — a reversal that intensified calls for transparency. Trump has since urged Attorney General Pam Bondi to ask the courts to unseal the Maxwell grand jury transcripts, but Engelmayer’s ruling blocks that effort, at least for now.  Source: Agency 

President Donald Trump pushes the Senate to confirm his federal judicial nominees, nearly half of them have revealed anti-abortion views or defended state abortion restrictions, raising concerns about the long-term impact on abortion access in the US. Several nominees have played key roles in defending abortion bans and challenging access to medication abortion. Among them are judges who have described abortion as a “barbaric practice” and called themselves “zealots” for the anti-abortion cause. Though Trump has publicly said abortion should be left to the states, his lifetime-appointed judicial picks could influence abortion laws nationwide for decades. Trump’s new tariffs take effect as US economy shows signs of strain Bernadette Meyler, a constitutional law professor at Stanford University, said judicial appointments are a way to shape abortion policy federally “without going through Congress or making a big, explicit statement.” In Trump’s second term, of the 17 judicial nominees, at least eight have argued for abortion restrictions. Many come from states with strict abortion laws such as Missouri and Florida. Notable nominees include Whitney Hermandorfer, who defended Tennessee’s near-total abortion ban; Maria Lanahan, involved in challenging FDA approval of the abortion pill mifepristone in Missouri; and Jordan Pratt, who called abortion a “barbaric practice” and supported Florida’s 15-week abortion ban. Other nominees have defended parental consent laws, ultrasound requirements, and efforts to defund Planned Parenthood. The White House defended the nominees, citing the 2022 Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade and emphasized states’ rights to decide abortion policy. Anti-abortion groups expressed optimism about the nominations, while abortion rights advocates warn Trump is embedding anti-abortion extremists throughout the judiciary, threatening access to abortion nationwide. Mini Timmaraju, president of Reproductive Freedom for All, said Trump’s approach “feeds into this larger strategy” of distancing himself publicly from abortion while appointing hardline judges.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reposted a video Thursday night featuring a Christian nationalist church where pastors called for repealing women’s right to vote, highlighting his close ties to the church’s controversial views. The nearly seven-minute CNN report focused on Doug Wilson, cofounder of the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC). It included a pastor advocating to remove women’s voting rights from the Constitution, another proposing household-based voting, and a female church member expressing submission to her husband. Accompanying the video on social media platform X, Hegseth wrote, “All of Christ for All of Life.” His post received over 12,000 likes and 2,000 shares, drawing both support and criticism for promoting Christian nationalist ideology. Doug Pagitt, pastor and head of progressive evangelical group Vote Common Good, condemned the views as held by “small fringes of Christians” and described Hegseth’s amplification as “very disturbing.” US Defence Secy Hegseth grilled by Congress over troop deployment, Pentagon budget Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell told the Associated Press that Hegseth is “a proud member” of a church affiliated with CREC and values many of Wilson’s teachings. In May, Hegseth invited his personal pastor, Brooks Potteiger, to lead Christian prayer services at the Pentagon during working hours, sending official invitations to Defense Department staff and service members. Wilson told CNN, “I’d like to see the nation be a Christian nation, and I’d like to see the world be a Christian world.” Source: Agency

The death of New York City police officer Didarul Islam, the first Bangladeshi American member of the NYPD killed in the line of duty, has cast a spotlight on the growing presence of Bangladeshi immigrants in the department’s ranks. Islam, one of four people killed in the July 28 shooting at a Manhattan office tower housing the NFL’s headquarters, was remembered last week at a funeral service outside a Bronx mosque. Officers in navy blue uniforms unfurled a banner with his photograph alongside the emblem of the Bangladeshi American Police Association. Among the mourners were officers wearing traditional South Asian attire, their badges displayed around their necks. According to the association, more than 1,000 of the NYPD’s approximately 33,000 uniformed officers are Bangladeshi Americans, along with another 1,500 civilian employees of Bangladeshi heritage. This marks a dramatic increase from just a handful of officers a few decades ago — growth attributed to post-9/11 patriotism, targeted recruitment and word-of-mouth within the community. Bangladesh-origin police officer killed in Manhattan shooting praised as ‘hero’ “He uplifted our community in a way that was unimaginable before,” said Shamsul Haque, a co-founder of the Bangladeshi officers’ group. “His legacy will endure not only as a hero who gave his life protecting others, but also as a symbol of hope, integrity and the American dream.” Haque, who joined the force in 2004, recalled that many early recruits sought to challenge stereotypes about Muslims in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks. Over time, he said, perceptions among colleagues have improved, and Bangladeshi officers have risen through the ranks. Today, the NYPD counts 10 detectives, 82 sergeants, 20 lieutenants and four inspectors of Bangladeshi heritage. Many have followed a pathway starting with civilian roles such as school safety officers and traffic agents, which do not require U.S. citizenship. Islam himself began as a school safety officer after immigrating about 16 years ago. For newer recruits, Islam’s death has been sobering. “It made us think, what if it happens to me today? It can,” said Officer Ishmam Chowdhury, 26, who joined the NYPD in May. He moved from Bangladesh in 2019, driven by a desire to serve after experiencing armed robberies as a teenager. “That’s what makes this city, this country, great,” Chowdhury said. “It doesn’t matter where somebody comes from — if somebody works hard and truly wants to do something, they can do it.”

A federal judge will decide Friday on a Trump administration bid to end a nearly 30-year-old policy that guarantees safe and sanitary conditions for immigrant children in U.S. custody. U.S. District Judge Dolly Gee in Los Angeles will hear arguments on whether to dissolve the Flores agreement, which limits Customs and Border Protection (CBP) from holding immigrant children for more than 72 hours, requires them to be kept in safe conditions, and allows independent inspections of CBP facilities. Advocates want the protections to remain, citing accounts from detained families that describe children competing with adults for clean water, distressed toddlers, and a child with swollen feet denied medical care. The Trump administration argues the policy is outdated, saying conditions have “substantially improved” since the 1997 agreement, with new standards and laws now in place. The settlement, named after a teenage plaintiff, covers all immigrant children, whether traveling alone or with family. After 72 hours, children are transferred to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Trump administration deports immigrants despite court order halting removals Last year, the Biden administration partially rolled back the agreement, with Judge Gee allowing court supervision to end once HHS takes custody, except for facilities housing children with special needs. Child advocates say the government is still violating time limits. In March and April, CBP reported holding 213 children for over 72 hours, including 14 — some toddlers — for more than 20 days in April. If the settlement ends, detention centers would no longer face independent inspections. The government is also planning to expand immigration detention, including facilities like one in Florida nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz,” where detainees allege their constitutional rights are being violated.

The Justice Department has issued subpoenas to New York Attorney General Letitia James as part of an investigation into whether she violated President Donald Trump’s civil rights, sources familiar with the matter said Friday. The subpoenas seek records connected to a lawsuit James filed against Trump over alleged fraud in his personal business dealings, as well as a separate case involving the National Rifle Association. The sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the subpoenas relate to a civil rights probe. This move escalates the Trump administration’s ongoing scrutiny of perceived political opponents, including figures like James who investigated Trump prior to his 2024 election victory. A spokesperson for James’s office, Geoff Burgan, did not confirm the subpoenas but stated, “Any weaponization of the justice system should disturb every American. We stand strongly behind our successful litigation against the Trump Organization and the National Rifle Association, and we will continue to stand up for New Yorkers’ rights.” Advocacy group files lawsuit against Justice Department and FBI seeking Epstein case records James’s personal attorney, Abbe D. Lowell, called the investigation an “improper tactic” and “the most blatant and desperate example” of political retribution by the administration. Lowell said, “Weaponizing the Department of Justice to punish an elected official for doing her job is an attack on the rule of law and a dangerous escalation by this administration.” Advocacy group files lawsuit against Justice Department and FBI seeking Epstein case records Justice Department spokesperson Natalie Baldassarre declined to comment. James, a Democrat, has filed numerous lawsuits against Trump and his administration over policies and his private business activities. Trump is appealing a multimillion-dollar judgment won by James in a fraud case, which alleges he provided banks and lenders with inflated financial statements for properties including golf clubs and his Trump Tower penthouse. Trump denies wrongdoing, claiming his financial statements understated his wealth and that any errors were harmless and did not influence lending decisions. He and his legal team have accused James of engaging in politically motivated “lawfare,” a charge she denies. The subpoenas come amid a broader Justice Department investigation linked to the Trump-Russia probe from his first term, alongside a reported purge of law enforcement officials involved in investigations of Trump and his allies.

A divided appeals court panel on Friday overturned a contempt ruling against President Donald Trump’s administration in a case involving deportations to a prison in El Salvador. The case arose after planes carrying Venezuelan migrants landed at the prison despite a U.S. district judge’s order to return them to the United States. U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg had found probable cause to hold the Trump administration in criminal contempt, marking a significant clash between the judiciary and the executive branch. However, a split three-judge panel in Washington ruled that Boasberg had overstepped his authority and infringed on the executive branch’s power over foreign affairs. Judges Gregory Katsas and Neomi Rao, both appointed by Trump during his first term, supported the majority opinion, with Rao stating the contempt threat aimed to force the executive to engage diplomatically for custody over individuals held by a foreign government. Judge Cornelia Pillard, appointed by former President Barack Obama, dissented, criticizing the majority for undermining the judge’s efforts to uphold judicial authority. Intel CEO reacts to Trump’s demand for resignation The Trump administration has denied violating the court order. The 250 migrants were sent back to their home country as part of a prisoner exchange after months of detention at El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT). Boasberg had accused the administration of hastily deporting individuals under the Alien Enemies Act before they could challenge their removals and ignoring his order for planes already in flight to return. Last month, the Justice Department filed a rare judicial misconduct complaint against Boasberg, seeking to remove him from the case pending investigation, citing comments he allegedly made during a closed judges’ meeting and his handling of the deportations case. Attorney General Pam Bondi hailed the appeals court decision as a “major victory” defending Trump’s use of the Alien Enemies Act and pledged to “continue fighting and winning in court.”

Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan said he has “always operated within the highest legal and ethical standards” following calls for his resignation by President Donald Trump. On Thursday, Trump posted on his Truth Social platform that “The CEO of Intel is highly CONFLICTED and must resign, immediately. There is no other solution to this problem.” The controversy arose after Senator Tom Cotton sent a letter to Intel Chairman Frank Yeary raising concerns about Tan’s investments and connections to semiconductor companies reportedly linked to the Chinese Communist Party and the People’s Liberation Army. Cotton asked whether Tan had divested from these interests to avoid conflicts. Intel slashes workforce, trims spending in bid to regain market footing It was not clear on Thursday if Tan, who became Intel’s CEO in March, had taken steps to divest. The economic and political rivalry between the U.S. and China increasingly centers on semiconductor chips, artificial intelligence, and other digital technologies critical to future economies and security. Intel said in a statement that it is “deeply committed to advancing U.S. national and economic security interests” and making significant investments aligned with President Trump’s America First agenda. Tan addressed the issue in a message to employees, dismissing misinformation about his past roles at Walden International and Cadence Design Systems, and reaffirmed his adherence to proper standards. He added that Intel is in contact with the Trump administration to address concerns and provide accurate information. “I fully share the President’s commitment to advancing U.S. national and economic security. I appreciate his leadership to advance these priorities, and I’m proud to lead a company central to these goals,” Tan said. Intel’s stock saw a slight rise in premarket trading Friday.  

President Donald Trump’s latest round of import tariffs took effect early Thursday, targeting goods from over 60 countries and the European Union, even as signs of economic strain are beginning to emerge in the United States. Goods from the EU, Japan, and South Korea are now subject to 15% tariffs, while products from Taiwan, Vietnam, and Bangladesh face 20%. Trump has also announced 25% additional tariffs on India over its Russian oil purchases, bringing the total to 50%. Switzerland faces a 39% tariff, with high duties imposed on drugs and computer chips. Despite Trump’s assertion that the U.S. is “taking in hundreds of billions of dollars,” economic indicators show potential setbacks. Hiring has slowed, inflationary pressures have increased, and key housing markets are experiencing a decline in property values. Trump’s newly announced tariffs come into effect “The economy has become less productive,” said John Silvia, CEO of Dynamic Economic Strategy. “Higher tariff prices lower workers’ real wages.” Germany's industrial output dropped 1.9% in June, while Indian exporters warned that 55% of their U.S.-bound shipments would be hit, risking client loss. Trump invoked a 1977 law declaring an economic emergency to implement the tariffs, a move facing legal challenges. Critics, including former House Speaker Paul Ryan, have called the move arbitrary. Nevertheless, the S&P 500 has risen over 25% since April, and recent tax cuts have boosted White House confidence in continued growth. But economists caution that the full impact of the tariffs will be felt gradually. “There’s one person who can afford to be cavalier about the uncertainty—that’s Donald Trump,” said Rachel West, a senior fellow at The Century Foundation. “The rest of Americans are already paying the price.”